Section E
Location Profiles
Memorial University of Newfoundland
PO Box 4200, Station C, St. John’s NL A1C 5S7
Tel: (709) 737-8000
The University
Memorial University of Newfoundland is the largest university in Atlantic Canada, with approximately 18,000 students. The Faculty of Medicine has been producing highly qualified doctors for over forty years. If you speak with Memorial residents you will find that they are very pleased with the quality of education and vast amount of clinical experience they receive. The university is situated in St. John’s, the oldest and most easterly city in Canada.
About St. John’s: Facts and Figures
Known for its friendly people and rugged beauty, the capital, with a population of about 180,000, offers a smaller city atmosphere with the amenities and attractions of a much larger city. There are many attractions in the region, and the province is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. The Grand Concourse is an integrated walkway system for the Cities of St. John’s and Mount Pearl and the Town of Paradise. Its 120 kilometres of walkways link every major park, river, pond, and green space in the three municipalities, providing a beautiful trek for all levels of fitness. Outside of the city, the East Coast trail provides a real adventure, covering over 540km. Along the way, one will see cliffs, fjords and the ruggedness of the Atlantic Ocean.
There are opportunities for those interested in sports, and many members of the medical community take part in local leagues. Every summer, the Royal St. John’s Regatta at Quidi Vidi Lake attracts competitive rowers from all around the world as well as over 50 000 spectators. It is officially the oldest continuing sporting event in all of North America!
Apart from its natural beauty and sporting events, St. John’s is also known for its devotion to arts. There are countless music and theatre festivals held throughout the year, showcasing the talent of Newfoundland musicians. One of the most well recognized events is the Festival 500 “Sharing the Voices”, an international festival of choral music, held every 2 years. The nightlife and downtown scene, including the legendary George Street, have a reputation for being the best in the country. The street is lined with bars and pubs and is closed to traffic during the night and most of the business day to allow free reign to pedestrians. It actually has the most pubs per square foot of any street in North America, as well as having some of the latest bar goers in Canada. The street is still busy even at 5 or 6 in the morning!
Transportation is easy, boasts an efficient bus system, and a fifteen minute drive will bring you to any of the four major hospitals. There is also excellent city-wide public transit. The climate is temperate, and while St. John’s has its share of snow, the summer weather can be quite nice.
Come experience the island in the east, and you won’t be disappointed!
Employment
St. John’s unemployment rate (2007) 6.7%
Main language spoken in homes
English: 97.8%, French: 1.7%, Other: 0.5% Largest minority language groups
Chinese, Greek, Spanish, Polish
Aboriginal population
655 (0.5% of the urban population)
Family and housing
Avg monthly rent for a two-bedroom (2007) $635
Avg residential house price (2003) $120,000 Climate
Avg January temperature (ºC) –3
Avg July temperature (ºC) 15
Avg annual “snow” (cm) 322
Avg annual “rain” (mm) 1191
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